Athletics News

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Five former Colorado State student-athletes, all of whom earned All-America honors, will be inducted into the school's sports hall of fame during ceremonies Oct. 12 at the Hilton of Fort Collins. Director of Athletics Paul Kowalczyk made the announcement Monday.

"Each of these individuals distinguished themselves on a national scale in competition, while representing Colorado State University," he said. "They reflect the pride, history and tradition that are so vital to our program."

The group includes former wrestler Ron Day, track and field stars Bob Parry and Liz (Toman) Certain, former football All-American Anthony Cesario, and two-sport star Jack Upton, who led the nation in hitting as a senior for the Rams baseball team.

Kowalczyk also said the school's organization for former athletes has undergone a name change, becoming the Varsity Athletes Club.

"In contacting our former student-athletes as well as current members of our staff, we felt that `Varsity Athletes Club' provided more recognition and exposure for the organization."

The inductees will be honored during CSU's annual Varsity Athletes Club and Hall of Fame Banquet Oct. 12 at the Hilton of Fort Collins. A reception takes place in the atrium of the hotel from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with the banquet to follow. Reservations are available by calling 970/491-4666. The inductees also will be honored the following day during the Rams football game with Air Force, which begins at 3:30 p.m.

Anthony Cesario (football)
Four-year letterwinner from 1995-98 ...Three-year starter as an offensive lineman...Started the final 37 games of his career...First-team all-conference performer in 1998...In 1998, was one of 12 finalists for the Lombardi Award...Named first-team All-America as a senior in 1998, and was a second-team selection as a junior...Was selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars and played several years in the NFL.

Ron Day (wrestling)
Won two Skylilne Conference wrestling individual championships and finished second once during his three-year varsity career...As a senior in 1956, finished second in the NCAA wrestling championships, and also earned All-America honors with his runner-up finish...Finished fourth as a junior in 1955...Also was a prep state champion at Fort Collins High School in 1952.

Bob Parry (track & field)
Four-year track letterwinner from 1972-76...Four times competed in the NCAA championships, and twice earned All-America honors...During his career, set 11 CSU records, and retains a 30-year-old school mark he set in the 400-meters ...Finished fifth in the nation in 1975, and sixth in 1976, to earn consecutive All-America honors ... In `76, won a national title in the U.S. Track and Field Federation championships.

Liz Toman (track & field)
Participated in both the NCAA indoor and outdoor track and field championships in 2000 ... Finished sixth nationally in discus during the 2000 outdoors competition ...Became the first female track and field athlete in school history to qualify for the NCAA championships in three different events in the same year: discus, shot put and high jump ...Participated in the NCAA indoor championships in 2001, finishing fouth in the shot put... Participated in the NCAA outdoor competition, finishing second in the discus ...A three-time All-American who set six school records during her career ... Named MWC Female Athlete of the Year in 2001, taking first place in the discus and shot put, and second in the high jump at the conference meet ... Awarded CSU's Mencimer and Virginia K. Frank awards in 2001 for top female athlete and top female scholar athlete, respectively ... A four-time MWC outdoor champion, and 10-time MWC all-conference selection.

Jack Upton (football, baseball)
Was a two-year letterwinner in football (1977-78) ...Earned two varsity letter awards in baseball (1978-79) ...Garnered the Merrill-Gheen Award, given to CSU's top male scholar, as a senior ... As a junior in baseball, led the Rams in every hitting category, and finished 18th in the nation in batting average ... Also in 1978, set the school record for most RBI in a season ... For two consecutive years, he was the team's leading hitter.